Stop motion



W. A. ZIEVE Dec. 22, 1936.

STOP MOTION Filed June 12, 1935 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE sror MOTIONWilliam A. Zieve, North Bergen, N, J. Application June 12, 1935, No.26,195

10 Claims.

This invention relates to stop-motions, and is adapted generally for usein connection with machines of the type which depend for their properoperationon the presence and normal behavior oi a traveling flexibleelement in connection with which the machine is adapted to cooperate.

Although the invention is fundamentally such that it may be, adapted forvarious uses, it is herein illustrated as embodied in a stop-motion forknitting machines.

Generally stated, an important object of the invention is to provide astop-motion which is simple in construction, reliable in operation andsensitive to abnormal conditions that may arise in connection with thetraveling flexible element upon the presence and normal behavior ofwhich the machine depends for its proper oper-' ation.

o Further and more particularly stated, .an important object of theinvention is to provide a stop-motion for use with knitting machineswhich is not only simple in construction, reliable in operation andsensitive to abnormal conditions that may arise in mnnection with, thetraveling flexible element, namely, the knitting thread, but which isalso such as to allow the knitting requirements oi the machine to bemetwhen operating under its own momentum pursuant to any throw-outoperation that may be effected incident, for example, to a running outor breaking of the knitting thread or to the setting up of an undueimpedance to its travel such as may be occasioned by the existence oi aknotted or entangled thread at the bobbin? or other source of threadsupply.

Other objects and advantages of .the invention will become apparent fromthe following description when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, in which- Fig. l is a side elevation of a stop-motion embodyingthe present invention and particularly adapted for use in connectionwith a knitting machine; Fig. 2-is an elevation 01 the device of Fig. 1as viewed from the left therein; Fig. 3 is a iragmental view showing inelevation the rear of the upper end of the device, particular referencebeing had to Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 ofFig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a carriage unit and itsassociated thread guides.

Although as many 0! the devices the present invention may be associatedwith a given machine as are necessary to fully equipthatmachinaonlyonesuchdeviceisherein guide support 38,

illustrated, it being designed especially for a knitting machine, notshown, with which there may be associated one device for each knittingthread or "end" employed.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 in- 5 indicates a bracket,including a guide rail 8 terminating at its upper and lower ends in thearms 1 and 8, respectively, by which the device may be attached to asuitable part of a knitting machine. Secured to the upper arm 1 is asheave 10 support or bracket Ill, having a spindle II on which iscarried a sheave l2, of suitable material which is relatively light inweight. In line with the sheave I! is a similar sheave I, mounted on aspindle l5, secured to the lower end of a 1.5 tensioning arm l6,pivotally connected, as at H, to the arm 8, the upper end of the arm itbeing provided with an adjustable stop ill, in the form of a set screw,which carries a lock nut 20 and the lower end of which is adapted toengage the arm 8, as and for the purpose hereinafter more particularlydescribed.

Carried on the guide rail 6, is a. slidable carriage 2i which includes aslide 22, the longitudinal margins of which are bent up so as to providereinforcing ribs 24 extending substantially throughout the extent of thecarriage. The slide 22 is provided at its upper and lower ends withwings 25, which are bent rearwardly and inwardly, as viewed in Fig. 5,so as to form a pair of guide sleeves 16, which are adapted to embracethe guide rail 6 and retain the carriage thereon for vertical movement.

Associated with the carriage 2|, is a pair of porcelain thread guides-21and 28, through which a knitting thread 30 is adapted to travel from itssource, such as a bobbin 3|, into the knitting machine tobe there actedon in the carrying out of the ordinary knitting operation. The threadguides 11 and 2| are held in alignment with each other and inassociation with the carriage II by a pair of U-shaped cradles l2 and34, which are open at their upper ends so as to permit the guides to beeasily placed in or removed from their functioning positions as occasionmay require. The cradles 32 and 34 constitute parts of a threadwhich isconstructed of suitable material, such as wire, and includes a connectorelement 36, terminating at its lower and upper ends in horizontallydisposed arms 31 and 38, the former of which is formed integral with avertical leg 40., with the upper end of which the cradle 32 isintegrally formed, and the latter of which is integral with the cradle34. The connector element 3. is accommodated intermediate thereinforcing ribs 24 and the thread-guide support in its entirety is heldin a permanently fixed relation on the carriage 2| by a pair of wings 4|and 42 which are formed integral with the slide 22 and are .looped aboutthe horizontally disposed arms 31 and 38 respectively.

In order that the carriage 2| may be normally held in its position shownin Fig. 1, it is connected in one reach of a cable-like element 43, inthe form of a light but relatively strong cord which is carried by thesheaves I2 and I4, the other reach of the cable-like element beingaccommodated by openings 4|-44, in the upper and lower arms 1 and 8, andcarrying an actuating weight 45. The actuating weight 45 is sufllcientlyheavy to normally maintain the carriage 2| in its position shown inFigs. 1 to 3 and yet sufficiently light to permit the carriage to movedownwardly under the influence of any undue tension that may be set upin the knitting thread 30, as when a knotted or' entangled threadcondition is encountered at the bobbin 3|.

The actuating weight 45 is herein shown as including a link 46, thelower or eyelet-end of which is connected to the cable-like element 43and the upper or hook-like end of which is detachably connected to theadjacent end of the cable-like ele ment through the medium of aconnector link 41. On the shankor stem portion of the link 46, are aplurality of disc-like weight elements in the form of ordinary washers48, the number of l which may be varied in order to establish theoverbalanced relation, in favor of the actuating weight 45 as againstthe carriage 2|, which is best suited to actual operating conditions. Inthis connection, it is to be noted that when a change over from arelatively heavy knitting thread to a relatively light knitting threadis made, it may be desirable to remove certain of the washers 48 so thatthe carriage 2| will move downwardly more readilyunder the influence ofundue tension in the knitting thread; whereas if a change over from arelatively light thread to a relatively heavy thread is made, it may bedesirable to sup ply additional washers 48 so as to render the carriageresponsive to a predetermined tension of greater magnitude. By unhookingthe upper or hook-like end of the link 46 from the connector link 47,certain of the washers 48 may be removed or other washers may be addedas occasions may require, the number of washers and therefore theeffectiveness of the weight 45 being governed or determined,at least inpart, by the tensile strength of the knitting thread employed so as toinsure downward movement of the carriage 2| under the action ofthread-tension of a predetermined and somewhat less value than thatwhich corresponds to the minimum tensile strength of the particularthread employed.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the point, consideredin'terms of tensile strength of the knitting thread at which thecarriage 2| will respond to undue tension set up in the knitting threadmay be conveniently predetermined, thus renderingthe device capable ofuniversal use, in

so far as the range in size or tensile strength of l the knittingthreads is concerned.

In order that operation of the carriage 2|, or downward movement thereofunder the influence of undue thread tension, or a break in the knittingthread or a run-out of such thread, may exercise a control-function instopping the operation of the knitting machine, there is providedcontrol means which may include a normally open switch S, housed withina switch box 50, supported as by a bracket connected to the arm 7, theswitel'v box being conveniently located and having a doorlike closure 52which may be opened in order to permit inspection of the switch, if andwhen desired. The switch S includes a terminal 54, secured to andinsulated from the rear wall of the switch box, and connected to one endof a yieldable contact 55, in the form of a coil spring which is locatedwithin the switch box and is there adapted to be engaged by the upperhorizontally disposed end 56 of a movable contact or switch arm 51.

The switch arm 51 is connected to a horizontally disposed shaft-likeelement 58, journalled in a bearing sleeve 60, carried by the rear wall01' the switch box, the shaft-like element 58 being connected at a pointoutside of the switch box to a thread-engaging arm 8 I, normallydisposed intermediate the thread guides 21 and 28 and there supported bythat portion of the knitting thread 30 which bridges the space or gapintermediate such guides, whereby the switch arm 51 is held inopen-circuit position as shown in Fig. 1. Inasmuch as the switch S maybe employed in association with various types of throw-out mechanisms,among which may be mentioned magnetic clutches,- it is deemedunnecessary to indicate herein more than the actuating lever 52 of sucha clutch, which, as will be observed from Fig. 1, is shown inassociation with a control circuit, including a magnet 84 which may begrounded to the frame work of the knitting machine, as shown at G, andconnected through a source of electrical energy E by conductors 65 and68 to the terminal 54 of the switch box 50, which in turn is groundedthrough the knitting machine when the device embodying the presentinvention is installed thereon.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the device whenconditioned for use, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is adapted to exercise apositive control over the knitting machine to stop the same underabnormal operating conditions, as when the knitting thread runs out oris broken or is subjected to undue tension. In the event the thread runsout, or is broken, the threadengaging arm 6|, which is normallysupported by such thread at a point intermediate the thread guides 21and 28, is permitted to drop under its own weight, thereby moving thecontact arm 51 into engagement with the contact 55 and thus closing thecircuit through the magnet 64 to eiTect the stopping operation of thethrow-out mechanism, not shown, through the instrumentality of itsactuating lever 62 which is moved as an armature under the action of themagnet 64. Should the thread become subjected to undue tensionresulting, for example, from a knotted or entangled thread condition atthe source of supply, the carriage 2| will move downwardly, as thetensioned thread is supplied to or consumed by the knitting machine inthe knitting operation, thus allowing the thread-engaging arm 6| to somove under the action of gravity as to effect engagement of the contactarm 5! with the contact 55 incident to which the throw-out mechanism,not shown, is actuated incident to energization of the magnet 84, aspreviously described.

Although the operation oi the device is described with respect to only asingle unit, it will be understood that operation of the throw-outmechanism, of which the actuating lever 62 constitutes a part, may beeffected in response to the operation of any one of a battery of thepresent devices, as will be readily understood when it is taken intoaccount that all of the switch box aooaeoo taneous operation of thethrow-out mechanism of which the actuating lever 62 forms a part.

Althoughonly one form of the invention is herein shown and described, itwill be understood that various changes may be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, aflexible-element retaining unit mounted for translatory movement underthe influence 'of abnormal tension conditions in said flexible elementand with relation to which said flexible element is adapted to traveland by which such element is normally held in a deflnite path ofmovement, constant-force-ex ercising means tending to maintain said unitin a position corresponding to said deflnite path of movement andadapted to offer uniform resistance to translatory movement of said unitthroughout its extent of travel as eifected in response to abnormaltension-conditions in said flexible element, andthrow-out-actuating-mechanism-control-means adapted to cooperate withand to be normally maintained in an ineflective position by saidflexible element while that element is held in said deflnite path ofmovement and adapted to move to an effective position incident totranslatory movement of said unit in response to abnormaltension-conditions in said flexible element.

2; In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, aguide, a flexibleelement retaining unit slidably mounted on said guidefor translatory movement under-the influence of abnormal tensionconditions in said flexible element and with relation to whichsaidflexible element is adapted to travel and by which such element isnormally held in a deflnite path of movement, constant-force-exercisingmeans tending to maintain said unit in a position corresponding to saiddeflnite path of movement and adapted to offer uniform resistancetotranslatory movement of said unit throughout its extent of travel aseflected in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexibleelement, and throw-out-actuating-mechanism control-means adapted tocooperate with and to be normally maintained in an ineffective positionby said flexible element while that element is held in said definitepath of movement and adapted to move to an efiective position incidentto translatory movement of said unit in response to abnormaltension-conditions in said flexible element.-

3. In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, aguide, a flexibleelement retaining unit slidably mounted onsaid guidefor translatory movement under the influence of abnormal tensionconditions in said flexible element and by which such element isnormally held in a supported position, constantforce-exercising meanstending to maintain said unit together with said supported element in anelevated position on said guide and,adapted to offer uniform resistanceto such downward movement of said unit together with said supportedelement as is effected in response to abnormal tension-conditions insaid flexible element and throw-out-actuating mechanism-control-meansadapted to cooperate with and to be normally maintained in anineffective position by said supported element prior to downwardmovement of said unit in response to abnormal tensionconditions in saidflexible element and adapted to move to an effective position incidentto such downward movement of said unit.

4.'In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, aflexible-element retaining unit mounted for translatory movement underthe influence of abnormal tension conditions in said flexible elementand with relation to which said flexible element is adapted to traveland by which such element is normally held in a deflnite path ofmovement, constant lforceexercising means tending to maintain said unitin a position corresponding to said definite path of movement andadapted to offer uniform resistance to translatory movement of said unitthroughout its extent of travel as eflected in response to abnormaltension-conditions in said flexible element, andthrow-out-actuating-mechanisrn-control-means adapted to cooperate withand to be normally maintained in an ineflective position by saidflexible element while that 'element is held in said definite path ofmovement and adapted to move to an effective position incident totranslatory movement of said unit in response to abnormaltension-conditions in said flexible element as well as incident to therelease of normal tension in said flexible element.

5. In a stopmotion under the control of a travellng flexible element, aguide, a flexible-element retaining unit slidably mounted on said guidefor translatory movement under the influence of abnormal tensionconditions. in said flexible element and with relation to which saidflexible element is adapted to travel and by which such element isnormally held in a deflnite path of movement, constant-force-exercisingmeans tending to maintain said unit in a position corresponding to saiddefinite path of movement and adapted to ofier uniform resistance totrans latory movement of said unit throughout its extent of travel asefl'ected in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexibleelement,

and throw out actuating-mechanlsm-controlmeans adapted to cooperate withand to be normally maintained in an inefl'ective position by saidflexible element while that element is held in said deflnite path ofmovement and adapted to move to an effective position incident totranslatory movement of said unit in response to abnormaltension-conditions in said flexible element as well as incident to therelease of normal tension in said flexible element.

6. In a stop-motion under the control of a .traveling flexible element,a guide, a flexible-element retaining unit slidably mounted on saidguide for translatory movement under the influence of abnormal tensionconditions in said flexible olesaid unit in response to abnormaltension-conditions in said flexible element and adapted to move to anelective position incident to such downward movement of said unit aswell as incident to the release of normal tension in said flexibleelement.

7. In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, avertically disposed guide, a flexible-element retaining unit slidablymounted on said guide for translatory movement under the influence ofabnormal tension conditions in said flexible element and by which suchelement is normally held in a supported position, said unit including apair of guide elements spaced from each other and through which saidflexible element is adapted to travel, constantforce-exercising meanstending to maintain said unit together with said supported element in anelevated position on said guide and adapted to offer uniform resistanceto such downward movement of said unit together with said supportedelement as is effected in response to abnormal tension-conditions insaid flexible element, and throw out-actuating-mechanismcontrolmeansincluding va switch unit comprising a switch-actuating arm normallysupported and maintained in open-circuit position by that portion ofsaid flexible element bridging the space intermediate said guideelements and adapted to move to closed-circuit position incident todown- -ward movement of said unit in response to abnormaltenslon-conditions in said flexible element.

8. In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, avertically disposed guide, a flexible-element retaining unit slidablymounted on said guide for translatory movement under the influence ofabnormal tension conditions in said flexible element and by which suchelement is normally held in a supported position, said unit including apair of guide elements spaced from each other and through which saidflexible element is adapted to travel, constantforce-exercising meanstending to maintain said unit together with said supported element in anelevated position on said guide and adapted to offer uniform resistanceto such downward movement of said unit together with said supportedelement as is effected in response to abnormal tension-conditions insaid flexible element, and throw-out-actuating; mechanismcontrol-meansincluding a switch unit comprising a switch-actuating arm normallysupported and maintained in open-circuit position by that portion ofsaid flexible element bridging the space intermediate said guideelements and adapted to move to closed-circuit position incident todownward movement 01' said unit in response to abnormaltension-conditions in said flexible element as well as incident to therelease of normal tension in said flexible element.

9. In'a stoprnotion under the control .of a traveling flexible element,a vertically disposed guide, a flexible-element retaining unit slidablymounted on said guide and by which such element is normally held in asupported position, said unit including a pair of guide elements spacedfrom each other and through which said flexible element is adapted totravel, a pair of sheaves one of which is supported at the uppercable-like element and tending to maintain said unit together with saidsupported element in an elevated position on said guide and adapted tomove incident to downward movement of said unit together with saidsupported element in response to abnormal tension-conditions in saidflexible element, and throw-out-actuatingmechanism-control-meansincluding a switch unit comprising a switch-actuating arm normallysupported and maintained in open-circuit position by that portion ofsaid'flexible element bridging the space intermediate said guideelements and adapted to move to closed-circuit position incident todownward movement of said unit in response to abnormaltension-conditions in said flexible element.

10. In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element,a vertically disposed guide, a flexible-element retaining unit slidablymounted on said guide and by which such element is normally held in asupported position, said unit including a pair of guide elements spacedfrom each other and through which said flexible element is adapted totravel, a pairof sheaves one of which is supported at the upper end ofsaid guide and the other of which is supported at the lower end thereof,a cable-like element carried by said sheaves and in one reach of whichsaid unit is connected, an actuating weight r connected in the otherreach of said cable-like element and tending to maintain said unittogether with said supported element in an elevated position on saidguide and adapted to move incident to downward movement of said unittogether with said supported element in response to abnormaltension-conditions in said flexible element, andthrow-out-actuating-mechanism-control-means including a switch unitcomprising a switch-actuating arm normally supported and maintained inopen-circuit position by that portion of said flexible element bridgingthe space intermediate said guide elements and adapted to move toclosed-circuit position incident to downward movement of said unit inresponse to .abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element aswell as incident to the release of normal tension in said flexibleelement.

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